Main Document

The EJS Roller Coaster model explores the relationship between kinetic, potential, and total energy as a cart travels along a roller coaster. Students can choose from five track configurations or create their own roller coaster curve and observe the resulting motion. As the simulation plays, energy bar graphs show the changing levels of kinetic and potential energy. Switch to "stepped motion" to see points at which both forms of energy reach maximum and minimum levels. Users can also control the initial speed of the cart and add friction, enabling the resource to be adaptable to a range of levels from middle school through high school.

This item was created with Easy Java Simulations (EJS), a modeling tool that allows users without formal programming experience to generate computer models and simulations. To run the simulation, simply click the Java Archive file below.

Supplemental Documents (4)

The EJS Roller Coaster Energy Model: Teacher Version shows the motion and energy of a car on a roller coaster track. You can change the track shape and add friction. EJS Roller Coaster Energy Model is a simulation for physical science (middle and high) school students. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_middle_school_teacher_RollerCoasterEnergy.jar file will run the program if Java is installed. It includes a teacher lesson plan (and answer key).

The EJS Roller Coaster Energy Model: Student Version is a simulation for physical science (middle and high) school students. It shows the motion and energy of a car on a roller coaster track. You can change the track shape and add friction. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_middle_school_RollerCoasterEnergy.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.